Israeli envoy says Turkey supports terrorism, helps resurgence of ISIS

Israel’s envoy to the United States, Danny Danon, on Monday said Turkey had been supporting what he called terrorist organisations in the region, the Jerusalem Post reported.

Danon added that the recent Turkish incursion into northeast Syria had raised the risk of a rebirth of the Islamic State (ISIS), which the Kurdish-led forces targeted in Turkey’s operation helped defeat.

“While he was busy murdering those who have helped keep the world safe from the threat of ISIS, he allowed ISIS members to break out of prison and subject the world to future attacks. This, too, should come as no surprise, as Erdogan has a long history of supporting terror,” Danon said during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council in New York.

Turkey and its Syrian rebel allies on Oct. 9 launched an offensive in northeast Syria targeting the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a group that spearheaded the U.S.-led war on ISIS in the region.

The SDF is holding some 10,000 prisoners from the group, including 2,000 foreigners, in detention centers across the area. As many as half of the 70,000 residents of Al-Hol refugee camp are also said to be ISIS loyalists.

Danon also said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had been supporting the Palestinian group Hamas, accusing him of turning Turkey into what he called a regional hub for terrorism.

“He has turned Turkey into a safe haven for Hamas terrorists and a financial center for funneling money to subsidize terror attacks,” Israeli envoy said.

Turkey backs Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist group recognised as a terrorist organisation by the United States and European Union and many officials of the organisation remain in Turkey, analysts have said.

Source: Ahval